What makes Hymns for a Dark Horse by Bowerbirds notable?

Hymns for a Dark Horse received critical acclaim upon release, praised for its lyrical depth and organic sound. It helped to secure Bowerbirds' place within the burgeoning indie folk movement and influenced a wave of artists exploring similar themes of nature and introspection in their music. Bowerbirds released Hymns for a Dark Horse as their debut album in 2007, establishing their presence in the indie folk scene. This album arrived shortly after the duo's formation in 2006, showcasing their distinctive sound that would define their musical identity moving forward.

How many songs are on Hymns for a Dark Horse?

Hymns for a Dark Horse has 12 tracks, running approximately 49 minutes.

Hymns for a Dark Horse

Bowerbirds · 2007

49 min · 12 tracks · indie folk

A haunting blend of rustic instrumentation and introspective lyrics that evoke the beauty and melancholy of nature.

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Top tracks — play these first

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In Our Talons — This track features intricate harmonies and vivid imagery that encapsulate the album's themes of connection to nature and vulnerability.
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Dark Horse — The title track stands out with its evocative storytelling and rich instrumental arrangement, embodying the album's emotional core.
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Matchstick Maker — This song showcases Bowerbirds' ability to weave delicate melodies with poignant lyrics, highlighting the fragility of human relationships.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

65 /100

Treeline

Higher than 88% of albums we've rated

The album features strong songwriting and cohesive themes, supported by varied pacing and distinct instrumentation.

What we noticed

The first three tracks feature layered harmonies and intricate acoustic arrangements, establishing a rich sonic texture.
The pacing varies, with tracks like 'Slow Down' providing a deliberate contrast to the more upbeat 'In Our Talons'.
The final track, 'Matchstick Maker', concludes with a gradual fade-out, leaving a lingering sense of introspection.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Hooves 2:40
2 In Our Talons 3:53
3 Human Hands 3:19
4 Dark Horse 4:33
5 Bur Oak 5:00
6 My Oldest Memory 4:31
7 The Marbled Godwit 4:00
8 Slow Down 3:54
9 The Ticonderoga 4:30
10 Olive Hearts 5:29
11 La Denigración 3:17
12 Matchstick Maker 4:40

What to play next

Listen next

Upper Air

2009

Go back to

Danger at Sea

2006

Full Bowerbirds discography Artists like Bowerbirds

indie folk

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata